Classic Beef Stew

Ingredients

2 lbs. beef chunks in 1-1/2" cubes

3 Tbsp. salad oil

1/4 cup flour

2 cups beef broth

1 cup red wine

1 16-oz can whole tomatoes, crushed

2 garlic cloves, crushed

salt to taste

thyme to taste

pepper to taste

1 bay leaf

2 onions, chopped

1 cup carrots

3 cups peeled rutabaga

3 medium Potatoes

2 stalks Celery

1 small bag green beans, or 3/4 lbs. fresh

Directions

1. Brown meat in large pot. Remove all but 2 Tbsp. drippings.

2. Return meat to pot and sprinkle with flour. Over med. heat, toss beef to coat on all sides.

3. Stir in broth, scraping bottom of pan.

4. Add wine, tomatoes, garlic, salt, thyme, pepper, and bay leaf.

5. Reduce heat to low, and cover. Simmer 2 hrs., stirring occasionally.

6. Add chosen vegetables and cook until tender, add last the vegetables that take very little time to cook.

[crock pot instructions: 1 cup broth, 1/2 cup wine. Brown as usual, add flour, broth and scrape; then transfer to crockpot. Add rest of ingredients. Cook 5 hrs. on high.]